Sgt Dan is back in Bexhill

It's been a while since Sussex Police's Daniel Russell last worked in Bexhill but now he's back and getting to know the town all over again.

Now Sgt Dan Russell he commented: "Whenever anyone asks me when was my best time to do service I tell them it was in Bexhill.

"I was here from 1996-2000 and was Sidley beat officer for three of those years. I remember making many friends, and there were members of the community there who I kept in touch with. I felt part of the community up there."

Dan was born in Northampton but grew up in Eastbourne where he still lives and brings up his young family.

He joined Sussex Police in 1992 but was based first in Bognor Regis followed by Eastbourne and a stint in Hastings.

"Then an opportunity came up in Bexhill for a community beat officer, and I took it with both hands because that was what I really wanted to do.

"I came to Sidley and the first thing I did was make sure most of the time I spent up there walking. That's how I got to meet the public. I remember Jimmy Carroll gave me some flowers for my wife when she had our second son - it's those things that made you know you were part of the community."

In his new job he is responsible for neighbourhood policing in Bexhill and has three community police officers as well as all PCSOs.

"It's really good for me because I can make sure the community gets a voice and we deal with local issues that matter to the public. I am a great one for visible policing which we are doing now, and reassurance, and getting to know our communities."

He has been back for several weeks and getting to grips with the town.

"There are several things I am particularly interested in - such as youth work. It does concern me the number of young people involved with alcohol, and I want to try and work with them and their parents. My philosophy is that if you work with them when they are young and help give them a better future, it will keep them away from possible criminal activities.

"I myself like being out there still and walking the strees and I will try to do as much of that as possible.

"The biggest change in policing has been that the local views counts now - we deal with problems that local people identify.

"I am really pleased at the way community policing has evolved.

"With the PCSO's and three police officers, people should see more visible policing - particularly at the weekend. It's not rocket science - the more people can trust, and be reassured, and have that point of contact the better - I think that's important. Even now in my role as supervisior I give my details to people so they can email or call me and I will assist them as best I can."

Dan's back in Bexhill and back in the Observer as well - it's more than 10 years since he hit the headlines for falling through a garage roof while chasing someone in Manor Road.

The story, written by former deputy editor John Dowling, told how Dan stopped a suspect who then ran away and jumped onto a garage roof.

"It took his weight," he remembered.

"It did not take mine. I fell 15ft and had a badly bruised arm, or so I thought, but there was a badly chipped bone and eventually I had a small bloot clot in my arm and had to take time off work. What I appreciated then was the support I got from the community. When I came back to work it was pleasant to see the support - people were really pleased to see me back."